During Hurricane Debby, DeSantis pushed hospitals, municipalities, first responders and those who operate critical infrastructure to consider the use of Tiger Dam flood barriers.
The state deployed the barrier to help protect the Manatee River waterfront hospital from rising floodwaters during Helene, and DeSantis expressed interest in expanded use of the devices as part of the state’s flood prevention measures during incoming storms. He said, potentially, Tiger Dams could even help protect residential homes.
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said the county could consider the use of Tiger Dams in flood-prone communities like Rubonia, but that long-term solutions to chronic flooding issues could be costly. The county has made significant investments in stormwater infrastructure, but issues with storm surge remain.
“It’s concerning because it was the third time in three years that this has happened,” Van Ostenbridge said. “We are looking into potential solutions, but there is going to be state and federal assistance for whatever the answer is.”
“We’ve looked at potentially building a levee, the idea of bringing in Tiger Dams, we have flaps in the stormwater system so the water will only flow outward and when it comes in it doesn’t come in from the storm drains,” he said. “But it needs more. Some of those houses are going to have to be elevated. Some are just not salvageable.”
